Cederberg Wilderness Reserve, Western Cape

The Cederberg Wilderness Reserve, stretching from the Pakhuis Pass in the north to the Grootrivier in the south, is loved for its rugged beauty and solitude. Rich with San rock art and endemic flora and fauna, it’s a wilderness so remote and wild there are places yet to be explored.

Did you know?

The Cederberg Mountains’ catchment area is home to the richest variety of endemic fish species south of the Zambezi.

The Cederberg Wilderness Reserveis a protected public-private mountain reserve, occupying 71 000ha of rugged terrain inland from the Cape West Coast and lying between the towns of Citrusdal, Clanwilliam and Ceres.

The reserve forms part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, a World Heritage Site, and is host to numerous rare and indigenous plant, animal and fish species, including the rare Clanwilliam Cedar tree, after which the region is named.

The Cape Cederberg is the equivalent of an open-air arboretum, sheltering red data species plants, scarce fynbos, South Africa’s famous rooibos tea plant, many different varieties of buchu, and among the high-peaks of the Sneeuberg, the rare and endemic snow protea.

In spring, drive the Agter-Pakhuis pass where wild flowers carpet the boulder-strewn hillsides as far as the eye can see.

Some of the peaks of the Cederberg Mountains, in Clanwilliam, rise above 2000m. Amid the oxide-stained and lichen-covered red sandstone cliffs are hundreds of overhangs and caves adorned with San rock art, varying in age between a few hundred and a few thousand years. The Stadsaal caves are one of the best sites to view these ancient paintings.

Unforgettable in this pristine, elemental landscape, are the Cederberg Wilderness Area’s extraordinary rock formations. Fissured and weathered by the elements, the Wolfberg Arch and Cracks, the Maltese Cross, Tafelberg and the Spout leave awestruck hikers feeling as though they’ve stumbled across a rock garden conjured from the mind of Salvador Dali.

Walking trails criss-cross the landscape, leading nature lovers to ravines where rivers spill into cool streams and rock pools beckon hike-weary bodies. The Cederberg is also attractive to rock climbers, mountain bikers and quad bike enthusiasts.

Animals in the area include many species of birds, reptiles, antelope, baboons, caracal and leopard.

The Cederberg offers a true wilderness experience not easily surpassed. Head for these mountains to lose yourself. You may just find what you’re looking for.

Around the area

Ramskop Nature Reserve - over 200 indigenous species of wild flowers during flower season, August to September.

Cederberg wine estate – South Africa’s highest-lying vineyards.

Cederberg Astronomical Observatory.

Tours to do

Visit the rooibos factory.

Follow the Cederberg Heritage Route.

Traditional donkey cart ride from the top of the Pakhuis Pass to Heuningvlei.

Follow the Sevilla and Warmhoek Rock Art trails.

Do a historic walkabout through Clanwilliam.

Get around

Your best option is to drive yourself from Cape Town, but the area is well-serviced by Cape Town and West Coast tour operators.

Length of stay

You can escape to the Cederberg for the weekend or disappear into the mountains for a week or more. Guaranteed, once these mountains cast their spell, you’ll wish you’d stayed longer.

What to pack

Winters in the Cederberg are cold, and evening temperatures can plummet sharply. Most rain falls between May and September, and it often snows in the higher regions. Summers are warm and dry. Either way, pack season-suitable gear, a hat and sun protection.

Where to stay

Clanwilliam offers accommodation to suit all budgets, but for something different try the Community Guest Lodge at Heuningvlei, Wolfkop’s luxury camping village, Oudrif eco-lodge, or the five-star retreats of Kagga Kamma and Bushmans Kloof.

What to eat

Try traditional West Coast and Sandveld cuisine or a seafood lunch on the beach at Muisbosskerm in Lambert’s Bay, complemented by Cederberg and Citrusdal wines.

What's happening

The annual 10-day Wild Flower Show is presented by the Clanwilliam Wild Flower Association in late August to early September. Visit the Clanwilliam website for more local events.

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